The deceased at the Boardwalk Beach has been identified. Hi is Fredrick Tillman from Jackson MS. He was 25 years old.

UPDATE

The Panama City Beach Police Department is currently investigating a drowning at the Sterling Reef Resort located at 12011 Front Beach Road.

The victim, Charles Smith, age 49, from Panama City Beach Florida entered the surf behind the Edgewater Beach Resort at about 11:30 a.m.. At about 1:03 p.m. his wife had reported to police that he had been snorkeling for quite some time, but could not locate him. She advised police that it was normal for him to snorkel for long periods of time and that it was not uncommon for him to do so. The victim was located beach side behind Sterling Reef Resort where EMS pronounced the victim deceased at 3:27 p.m.

Original Story

The Panama Beach Police Department officers’ have responded to at least 20 water calls beach side at various hotels and resorts within a 3 hour and 45 minute time-span with double red flags flying. Beach & Surf Units have pulled out approximately 20 swimmers that were in distress. CPR was performed on 3 swimmers who all were pulled from the surf and transported to local hospitals. It appears one swimmer suffered cardiac arrest after having exited the surf and had been out of the water for about 10 minutes.

(DROWNING) One reported swimmer was pulled from the surf behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort where CPR was performed and was later pronounce dead at Bay Medical Center. His identity has been withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.